A/N: OMG. Finally a new chapter. Thank you for those who have left me comments though this story has been on hiatus for far too long. You don't know how many times I've read your comments again and again just to keep me going. Thank you. 2021 would be the year I wrap up this story for good (there will be about 4 more chapters to go). I've been dragging since 2019. Sorry for that and THANK YOU again for your time to read this story.

Everything seemed so loud. Lights were blazing in her eyes. And she was VERY hungry. Camille paced back and forth restlessly. It had been 3 hours and 20 minutes since Caroline left her apartment but it felt like ages. She was trying to make peace of what little time she had with life by writing down a death note. She sat there, looking down at the blank page, thinking of the words to say goodbye. Yes, she was sure not to become a vampire. But to whom she wanted to leave the note, she wasn't even sure. She wanted to see Klaus one last time but the thought of him shacking up with Caroline disgusted her. Davina wasn't in town anymore. Then it hit her, she might be dying alone today. She trembled at the thought of that and then found herself dialing the phone number of the only non-vampire friend she had now, Vincent. She was not going to die alone.

Caroline returned to the Mikaelson mansion after few rounds of beer and dancing in the pub. She looked for Klaus and found him in his studio. He was standing in front of the canvas, painting.

With all the dramas and so called war coming, he still had time to paint. His back was facing her. She crept in slowly while trying to have a peek of his painting. It looked like an empty street of the French Quarter. It was mostly dark under the moonlight dim.

Klaus: Haven't seen you all day. Out there scheming and plotting against me?

His voice startled her. Caroline walked closer to stand beside him. He was still focused on his painting.

Caroline: Like I don't have anything better to do? For the record, I am still Caroline Forbes, I have a life of my own that doesn't revolve around you.

Klaus: Though Caroline Mikaelson has a nice ring on it.

He smiled and glanced to her on his left. She laughed.

Caroline: Oh my god! Is that all your take on what I just said?

He replied her with a shrug. He stroke the final touch and put down his brush before returning his attention to Caroline.

Klaus: You were right. I didn't trust you before but I'm trusting you now. We're leaving first thing in the morning.

Caroline: We, as in you…me…Freya…?

Klaus: Yes. Unless you have someone else in mind.

Caroline: What about Camille?

Klaus: What about her?

Caroline bit her tongue. He didn't know it, YET. But she was a bit surprise Camille didn't call Klaus for help or to say goodbye or whatever. Klaus' voice distracted her inner thoughts.

Klaus: She should be there by now. Why are you so concern about her all of the sudden.

Just when Caroline wanted to open her mouth to answer, Klaus' phone rang. Klaus still looked at her for an answer but Caroline gestured him to answer the call as she sat down on the couch.

Marcel: What is her problem?

Klaus: Marcellus.

Klaus eyed Caroline, signaling her to be quiet, as if Marcel could hear their conversation earlier.

Klaus: Who got you on the wrong side today?

Marcel: Your Queen.

Klaus: Is it now? What did she do?

Marcel: Why don't you ask her yourself.

On the other side of town, Camille was furious.

Camille: Why did you tell him about me, Vincent? See now Klaus knows.

Marcel: Klaus needed to know. I'm surprised the Queen hasn't told him herself.

Camille: I'm guessing she wants me to break the news to Klaus.

Marcel: You need to leave now, Vincent. I don't want him getting suspicious seeing you and I together in the same room. I'll take it from here.

Vincent nodded and returned his attention to Camille.

Vincent: Like I said earlier, Cami. Don't let him get to your mind.

Camille: Wait, what's going on here? Are you two working together?

Both of them were silent.

Camille: Klaus told me that there's a war coming. Is this it? You're the one who's starting a war with him?

The two guys exchanged stare with one another before replying to Camille.

Marcel: It's better that you don't know.

Camille: Are you planning to kill Klaus?

Marcel laughed.

Marcel: Of course not. If he dies, I die. He's my sire. I promise you, there will be no shedding blood.

Klaus returned his attention to Caroline after Marcel ended the call. She was seamlessly scrolling through her social media on the phone now.

Klaus: Caroline…

Caroline: I went to pay your lover a visit.

She cut him short, eyes still on her phone, not bothering to look at him.

Klaus: You mean Camille? What did you do to her?

Caroline: Oh you're gonna thank me later.

Silence. Caroline finally laid her eyes on Klaus. His hands clenched into fist, his eyes full of impatient curiosity.

Caroline: What? You get to love her forever now. Or if she decided not to turn, then I'm practically saving your ass from getting hurt.

She returned her attention back to the phone as if nothing happened.

Klaus: Tell me you didn't kill her.

Caroline: No, I didn't kill her. I made her better, for you.

Klaus swiped the wine glasses on the table onto the wall. It shattered into pieces.

Klaus: What do you want from me, Caroline?

His voice roared through his studio.

Caroline: Nothing. I was just bored. I need a new drinking buddy.

Klaus: So you killed Camille, hoping she would turn into a vampire?

Caroline: No, I was bored so I killed her. I was thinking about Josh when I said I needed a new drinking buddy.

Klaus gripped Caroline's neck and pushed her against the wall. Her phone went flying to the air and cracked as it touched the ground. Caroline smiled victoriously.

Caroline: What are you going to do, Klaus? Kill me? Compel me? You know you can't dagger me.

Klaus' hand tightened on her neck. Caroline was choking. He loosened the grip at once.

Klaus: You're right. I could never compel you. I could never dagger you.

He caressed her face and tucked her hair behind her left ear. He traced his hand down her neck and for a split moment Caroline felt a sharp pain on her neck. Klaus bit her, yet again. She wasn't really surprised. She was half expecting it. She closed her eyes, letting him drank from her. It was an arousing pain she let herself feel. About a minute or so, Klaus let go of his fangs from her neck. He stared deep in her eyes with his eyes remained yellow. His face covered with black veins and his mouth bloody. She found them paradoxically mesmerizing.

Caroline: So this is it? Everytime that I go against your will, this is how you will punish me?

Klaus: I can't dagger you, can't I?

Caroline let out a mocking laugh.

Caroline: Maybe it is good after all that I kept a stash of your blood, huh?

Klaus: This is a reminder, Caroline. I could make you suffer long enough.

Caroline: You mean like you did last time? I may be broken, but you will never ever break me, Klaus.

Klaus grabbed a bag of blood before heading out. He had asked Freya to prepare a daylight ring for Camille. He called Marcel and asked their whereabouts. Of course Marcel refused to dispose the information at Camille's request but what Klaus' threat couldn't do? After Marcel told him where they were, Klaus went straight to Camille's apartment. His mission was only one, delivering the human blood to complete Camille's transition.

Camille: What is this?

Klaus: Drink, you'll need this to complete the transition.

Camille: No, I'm not going to.

Klaus: What do you mean?

Camille: It means I'm not going to turn into a monster like you all are.

Klaus: No, you're not going to be a monster. You are strong, Camille.

Camille: How do you know that. How do you know that this blood thirst won't change me to be bad.

Klaus: Because you're good. It will only amplify that part of you that is good.

Camille: You don't know that. You don't know anything about me.

Klaus: Please Camille, I'm begging you to stay. I need you, to stay alive.

Camille: I want her dead.

Klaus: Pardon me?

Camille: Caroline, I want her dead.

Klaus: She was not in her right mind. She would have learned her lesson by now.

Camille: She killed me, Klaus! If I turn, I will only want to kill her.

It was almost midnight when Klaus arrived at the Mikaelson mansion. Quietness surrounding the air now that only him, Freya and Caroline residing ever since the rest moved to the safe house. Freya must have fallen asleep. Caroline must be plotting scheme against him in her room. He didn't receive any alerts from the hybrids about her whereabouts outside the house. He went upstairs to his room.

Just passed by Caroline's door, he stopped for a while, actually feeling remorse for biting her again. It was not his intention to hurt her. He did it out of frustration. Frustrated that he couldn't control her. But then he knew he could never control Caroline, even with her humanity intact.

He stood still in front of the door. A scent of blood caught his attention. Not just any kind of blood scent. It was the sweetest intoxicated blood scent that repeatedly haunted his wildest dreams. It was Caroline's blood. He knocked on the door. Twice. He could hear the bed sheet rustling and Caroline's heavy breathing.

Klaus: Caroline…

His voice sounded more strident than he intended it to be. No answer. He turned the doorknob around but it was locked. Without a doubt, he forced it open. Caroline was lying on the bed, her forehead drenched in sweats, her neck bloody.

Caroline: Mommy? Is that you?

Klaus: Bloody hell, Caroline.

Caroline: Mom, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have forced you to drink my blood. We could have gone the old-fashioned way doing chemo. That could buy us some time. We could travel and see the world together. One last time. I'm sorry, Mom.

Klaus: Shh...it's alright, love.

Marcel had left when Klaus came to Camille's apartment earlier. Few hours later, he received a text from Klaus instructing him to stay with Camille for the night. He came by and stayed just as Klaus instructed him to do so. Camille had just taken a sip of the blood Klaus brought her. She needed someone to brief her all about vampirism

Marcel: Where is he? I thought he'd want to be here after you turn.

Camille: He told me he wanted to take the daylight ring.

Marcel: Can I ask you something, Cami?

Camille: Yeah?

Marcel: Why did you decide to turn? You were hell bent on dying earlier.

Camille was silent.

Marcel: Take it from someone who has lived countless lifetimes. You need to know why you decided to turn. You have to do it for you. Or else, you'll be living in misery.

Camille: What made you decide to turn?

Marcel: I want power. I want to be strong. I was weak when I was young. Beaten and kicked down. Klaus, he saved me.

Camille: Was he a vampire then?

Marcel: I knew he was. I begged him to turn me then but he refused. He was waiting for the right moment.

Camille: It's just that...I know this side of world that most people don't know exist. I feel like if I can do something to protect the humans who are oblivious, why not. Maybe it's the caling for my family's legacies?

Marcel: So you're gonna become a vampire hunter to kill us all monsters?

Camille: Of course not. I'm a Psych major for God Sake. I'm not gonna go around and start killing people. Well, except Caroline. She is the exception because she killed me.

Marcel: About that. What do you think Klaus gonna do to her?

Camille: Nothing, I'm sure of it. You won't believe this but I see it in him. He is head over heels for her. That's why I have to do it myself. Even if it means he will hate me for it.

Marcel: You know what, Cami? Maybe you don't have to do it entirely yourself.

De javu. They had been in this situation before. He would bite her when he felt she had crossed the line and then he would save her just in the nick of the time. Though he was surprised the venom got to her quicker this time. Probably he had left more venom in her body this time around. Probably he had savored the taste of her blood a little too much this time he had almost drained her.

Klaus stayed awake throughout the night. Just like last time. He couldn't really sleep. How could history repeat itself? Was he bound to do this again everytime she crossed him for the rest of eternity? What if he slipped up and couldn't save her just in time? The thought of losing her terrified him. It made him want to cherish every single moment he had with her. It made him want to do better for her.

Tonight, they were lying. Just like last time. But this time, they were lying on the bed. Caroline had her head resting against Klaus' chest while Klaus was stroking her shoulder gently. Just like last time. Except this time, Caroline didn't jerk out with her cheeks reddened when she woke up.

Klaus: You're awake.

Caroline: What happened?

Her voice hoarse. She propped her shoulder beside Klaus slowly. Her hair fell on her face, covering parts of it and at once, Klaus tucked her messy blonde hair behind her ear.

Klaus: You were dying. Why didn't you drink the blood I gave you?

Caroline closed her eyes trying to recall what had happened. It was like having a hangover. She opened her eyes and turned to look at the watch on the side table.

Caroline: What time is it now?

It was 5 in the morning.

Klaus: You could have died, Caroline.

Caroline: And you would have learned the lesson the hard way.

Klaus eyes widened upon hearing his very own words used against him.

Caroline: Do you hate me now, Klaus?

Klaus: I've known for a while now.

Caroline raised her eyebrows.

Klaus: It would be impossible for me to hate you, Caroline…even if I try.

Caroline rolled her eyes and went back to lie down flat on the bed.

Klaus: You wanted to die, didn't you?

Caroline: I got nothing more to lose, Klaus. I have nothing to come back to.

Klaus: Not even me?

Caroline: Don't flatter yourself. Like I said, nothing. So yeah, dying isn't exactly the worst option.

Klaus: Sorry to disappoint, love. You don't get to die on my watch. As long as I'm here well and alive, no harm will ever come to you. I won't allow it. I promise.